Following the plan

I've been quiet and all continues to proceed according to the plan.  Still on three week intervals of chemo and nine weeks for PET scans.  This is good news for which I am thankful.  

There will be side effects, they say.   Every three weeks I become more aware whether I feel it or not.  They check my blood each visit. and ask me questions.  Each reading and question seems to have a hidden agenda and the possible disclosure of another issue.  I am weary of these visits that they find something else wrong.   For example, when my feet started swelling, I was sent for ultrasound to check for blood clots!   Ok, being cautious.   Still, it gets scary.   Now, from the blood work two weeks ago, they noticed an inconsistency in the bilirubin.  So ANOTHER ultrasound.  This time they found I have Gall stones...ANOTHER Doctor is now needed.... Another appointment next week,,,, as well as chemo. So this three weeks between chemosynthesis I have two other Dr. Appointments.   I fear the slippery slope here.  I shouldn't complain, right!   There will be more... It's the road I am on.  Suck it up.   So I vent a little here.  I get scared.  I am not as cool with this whole thing as you may think!   (from the new Doctor - we will do nothing but keep an eye on them since they are causing no discomfort... yeah)

On the other hand, right now John and I are at the cabin on Raquette Lake by ourselves, enjoying the quiet.  Loving the interruptions of the loons, a fire, music, lunch, and struggling with the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle.  Acting normal, better than normal!  We have spent quite a bit of time here in the last month, with John's family and without.  It is a wonderful place to retreat.

Last weekend was not so calm or normal. It was amazing.  John and I traveled to Steamboat Springs, Co. To spend time with Tyler.   Make a wish couldn't have done more.  Tyler and I had discussed activities with the reality that I couldn't do the hiking that had been so much apart of me and Steamboat In the summers.

I had made a reservation for a hot air balloon ride for Saturday morning.  Although there was little wind and little travel, we had great views of the valley, the mountain and trails I had hiked near our house and town.  

A beautiful start to our weekend.  

Tyler had another plan scheduled for Sunday, which he had set up for me to see more of the hiking trails I loved.  A helicopter ride!  How unbelievable that was. We took off from the steamboat airport, flew south to Catamont where I played golf, around to Rabbit Ears Pass,  over the back of the ski mountain, then Fish Creek and the falls, out to Hahn's Peak, flying over the devastating blow down in 1990-something,Steamboat lake, follow the Elk River back to the Yampa and back to the airport.   WOW,,THANK YOU TYLER!

So I shouldn't complain, right.    Trying to adjust to this roller coaster of emotions.  Knowing and hearing from friends makes it easier, and I am thankful for each one of you - that we have shared enough that you care and take time.  Join me sometime, if you are near.  I'll meet you half way!